I thank the 17 Members who contributed to the Order of Business.

The Cathaoirleach's intervention in the context of defending Senator Craughwell, who is not here, was timely. I know that matters are a bit different this morning but I ask Members to reflect. First, I ask them to watch the contribution made by the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, MP, earlier. I know I can be political but I reiterate that our language is important. Increasingly, people are tuning in to watch Oireachtas television to hear what we say and how we say things. I appeal to Members, as we start the new term, to be conscious of where we are, of who we represent and of the people watching.

Senator Horkan referred to the ESRI report. This is a very important report. I heard Dr. Kieran McQuinn speaking on "Morning Ireland" earlier. The uncertainty relating to Brexit is just that - uncertainty. Every day we think that we have a roadmap to somewhere but a different blockage is then put in place. The shenanigans and language used in the House of Commons and the level of change is unprecedented. The Minister for Finance has stated that, thus far, he has no plans to have a supplementary budget. As Senators will know, he has been planning for two versions of the budget and has come up with a no-deal budget that will be introduced in two weeks' time. It is important to remember that we do not want another recession. Members have come in here with shopping lists as long the county hall in Cork. We must be conscious that we have €700 million to spend and that there are vulnerable small and medium-sized businesses which rely on the UK and which we must protect and support.

The Senator made an interesting point about the rainy day fund and inquired as to what constitutes an extraordinary situation. To be fair to him and the measured contribution he made, this is an important issue. I would be happy to have a debate on the rainy day fund. Next Tuesday, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade will be here to discuss a number of matters, including Brexit. The debate will be an opportunity for Senators to discuss the fund.

I join with Senators Horkan, Devine, Noone and Bacik in welcoming the decision by the Attorney General to initiate a new inquiry into the Stardust tragedy. All of us of a certain age remember that Saturday morning in 1981 when we work up to the tragedy of 48 young people having died the night before. The Attorney General has made it clear that there are new circumstances in terms of justice and obtaining answers as to why he had granted a new inquiry. I commend him on his decision. All along, the families of the Stardust victims have had one constant message and one request. None of us in this Chamber can even attempt to understand the anguish and pain that they continue to suffer and that is why it is important that we have an inquiry. I commend the families on their perseverance. As Senator Devine stated, this is about standing in solidarity with the people today.

Senator Boyhan referred to the importance of diversification in agriculture, particularly the area of horticulture. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine will be here next Thursday but we will endeavour to have him come here for a further debate in due course.

I commend Senator Boyhan on his contribution in respect of the men affected by what happened in Tuam. There is an obligation to ensure that the support of the State is embraced and wrapped around those people. I would be happy to have the relevant Minister come to the House. The Senator should table a Commencement matter on the subject. I would be happy to talk to him about the issue further in due course. Senator Devine raised the issue of children with autism and their access to education. The Minister for Education and Skills, in light of the use of reduced timetables in schools, issued a statement that schools be required to work with and notify Tusla, the educational welfare service, whereby there is a reduced timetable being put in place. Also, schools will be required to set out the rationale for the use of a reduced timetable and have a plan for the child's full reintegration into full-time day school. The key phrase is "full reintegration into full-time day school". The basic tenet of what we are trying to achieve is as follows. All pupils who enrol in a school should remain there for the whole day. I have been involved with special needs education and I was a schoolteacher. I am of the view that school is the place for children irrespective of their abilities. They should be in an educational setting for the whole day unless they are exempt for particular and specific reasons. I am happy to arrange for the Minister to come to the House. I have a very simple viewpoint, namely, a reduced timetable should not be used by a school as a behavioural management technique or as a de facto tool of suspension or expulsion in the case of children with special needs. I say that as somebody who has been involved with special education through my family. I have been in schools where I got a clout from a young man or young girl because he or she lashed out due to a behavioural issue. We owe a debt of gratitude to the teachers and those who work in special needs schools for their commitment and dedication every day. That is why it is important to ensure that there are more places and more special needs assistants. I accept that more work needs to be done and I would be happy to arrange for the Minister to come to the House to discuss the matter.

Senators Ruane mentioned Greta Thunberg, as did Senator Craughwell and others. I must inform Senator Ruane that I honestly did not take the same inference from Senator Craughwell's contribution. I thought, as the Cathaoirleach stated, that he spoke from the point of view of care and concern but I might have taken him up wrong. I might have to defend him but I did not think that is from where he was coming.

Senator Bacik raised the issue of domestic abuse and I know she made a fine contribution at an event this morning. As she stated, we have done a job of legislative work. We have allowed for the reporting of old cases, we have become more aware as a society and the Garda has brought forward different elements of support. We have a way to go regarding the recommendations and the level of ongoing need. I would be happy to have a debate on the matter. The Senator is right that there is a fundamental need to have joined-up thinking in respect of the criminal and family courts. I fully concur with her on that.

Senators Bacik and Warfield mentioned the issue of hate crime. Incidents like the one that occurred last Saturday night in Dublin when a young man was attacked have no place in our society. We have moved a long way forward as a society. The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has work on hate crime and I would be happy to have the Minister for Justice and Equality come to the House. There was a review on hate crime legislation but I am not sure whether it is finished. I am happy to invite the Minister to come here to discuss the matter as well.

Senator Dolan raised the issue of the abolition of the training allowance. My information is that the payment does not affect existing persons who are attending and that it is for a four-year period.

I acknowledge that.

The payment was tied up with the FÁS training scheme placement. In saying that, I have received correspondence on the matter. I met the parents of those who have been affected or who feel they have been affected and I met the individuals involved themselves. It is important to ensure that whatever is the intended consequence, it is not a "misconsequence". Despite what the Senator said, it is important to allow for day-care places to be extended and to work in tandem with the Department. I am happy to talk to the Senator about the matter and to have the Minister come to the House.

It is a matter that has an implication, and the import cannot be a negative one. I take the Senator's point on that.

I like that.

The contribution around disabilities and reclaiming the streets and pavements is an interesting one. We need to have a real conversation about this from a national perspective, a local government perspective and from the citizens' point of view, in how we see our streets and streetscapes. There is now a proliferation of street furniture, bikes, prams and buggies competing for space on pathways and pavements. Some years ago in Cork a very good exercise was done where able-bodied people were put into wheelchairs or blindfolds and had to try to walk through the streets. It was an interesting exercise. I would be happy to pursue the matter with the Senator Dolan.

I again pass on our sympathies to Senator Dolan on the sad passing of his brother Jim.

Senator Colm Burke's contribution was important. He spoke of the need for protecting democratic systems. We can never allow populism to rise or for easy rhetoric to become part of our discourse. I commend the Senator on that.

Senator Craughwell referred to the farmers and set-aside farmland. Negotiations are under way with the Minister, Deputy Madigan, and with the farmers. I would be slow to bring the Minister to the House while those negotiations are under way and ongoing. I have confidence in the Minister, Deputy Madigan.

Senator Hopkins raised the issue of agriculture. The Senator has been a very fine exponent and advocate for the farming community.

Senators Gavan and Noone raised the issue of the childcare briefing this morning, the survey and the importance of childcare workers. The attrition rate has been evident for a long time. We have seen changes made by this Government and through the Minister, Deputy Zappone, and the previous Government. Despite what Senator Gavan might say, there has been a very positive change in childcare provision. I would be happy to have that debate as part of the pre-budget discussions. I hope too that Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy D'Arcy, will be in the House on budget night. I will endeavour also to have Minister Devine here. I apologise, the Senator may be a Minister Devine soon, with the support of the House.

With lots of interventions.

Senator Kieran O'Donnell referred to the issue of Shannon Airport and the importance of it having a European major hub. This is an important point. Obviously we are from competing counties, with regard to Cork and Shannon, but Senator O'Donnell made the point that aviation policy should be made irrespective of where one is from. Dublin has now become the overriding part of aviation policy, which is not good for our country. Any of us who travel and use airports recognise that it has become almost unpleasant to travel through Dublin Airport. This is not because of the staff. It is due to the volume of people going through the airport. It is my view that we cannot have an overdependence on Dublin Airport. I would happily have the Minister come to the House to discuss aviation policy. As Senator O'Donnell has rightly said, aviation policy has an impact on balanced regional development and on tourism. I would be happy to have that debate. I note that the managing director of Cork Airport, Mr. Niall MacCarthy, appeared yesterday at the Seanad Special Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. Mr. MacCarthy spoke about Brexit readiness and about having no need to panic. It is critical that we understand the importance of Cork and Shannon airports and that they are the key economic drivers of the regions. I would be happy to have the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, come to the House to discuss that.

I have responded to Senators Warfield and Noone. Senator Ruane also referred to Greta Thunberg.

Senator Mulherin raised the issue of the regulator and the statement today. I believe she has made a good point in that the regulator should make that decision if we want to see investment in renewable energy. Obviously, it is beyond my remit or that of the House, but if we want investment in renewable energy and to retain and achieve our targets, then it is important that decisions are made.

Senator Ó Donnghaile referred to immigration checks at the Border. I am not familiar with that issue, but it is disconcerting if there is a pointed and concerted attempt at investigating and checking people, which I hope is not happening to the extent the Senator has said. I am not saying that it is not happening but it is important there is commonality of approach. Again, I would have the Minister come to the House to discuss that.

Senator Lombard spoke of the new Garda policing model being unfurled today and announced by the Garda Commissioner. The Senator referred to the amalgamation of the west and north Cork Garda divisions, which does not make any sense to me. Cork city was a pilot in the new community policing model, which is part of what is being announced today. Senator Lombard and I are from the largest county in Ireland and we know full well the scale of the job, given the geographical distances. Having a division based out of Macroom serving north Cork and west Cork makes no sense. It is important that the resources we have are brought into policing on the ground.

Senator Mullen raised the issue of the meeting to create safe zones. I am aware that the master of the National Maternity Hospital wrote to the staff about a particular protest that is being held. Whether one calls it a 40-day prayer vigil or a protest, that is a matter for people themselves. I put it to Senator Mullen that I do not believe that it is appropriate for anybody - whatever their view - to protest outside a maternity hospital or anywhere close to it.

Well said.

The Minister's official said it was a peaceful prayer vigil. That is how she described it.

That is nonsense.

Senator Mullen made comments in the House yesterday about tolerance and respect of views in the context of a debate yesterday. Perhaps Senator Mullen might do the same, please.

I always do. Perhaps we could introduce the tradition of asking to give way courteously, as they do in the House of Commons. I always give way to the Leader.

I am merely articulating a view that irrespective of one's opinion or view, I do not believe a prayer vigil or a protest - whatever it is - should be held outside a maternity hospital, north, south, east or west.

The Garda Commissioner does not believe legislation is required and we should engage with that.

The Garda Commissioner is entitled to his view, and I have no difficulty with him having his view. The point I make - again - is that the Minister for Health is committed to bringing forward, and has said he will bring forward, legislation regarding safe zones around maternity hospitals. I happen to believe that he is right. The Garda Commissioner can have his view, and if he wants to express his view, that is his entitlement. He is the head of our independent policing force and I have no problem with that.

I am always delighted to hear the Leader's view.

I do not think the Senator is, though.

I asked the Leader if he would facilitate a debate. It is Senator Buttimer's role as the Leader to tell us whether he would facilitate a debate.

I do not believe that Senator Mullen ever wants to hear my view.

We always get the Leader's view, but will he answer the question I asked?

Senator Mullen comes in here on the pretext of that, but he actually does not-----

No. The Leader does not have to turn every response into an attack. I asked the Leader for a debate. That is all I asked.

I was not attacking the Senator.

I will shortly put the question-----

I will conclude. To help Senator Mullen, I would be happy to have the debate in the House.

I thank the Leader.

Finally, to give Senator Mullen a bit of good news, I agree with him that it is important that we, as Members of the Oireachtas and as civic leaders give young people a sense of hope for the future. I concur with the Senator completely on that.

And it is not even holiday time.